Cook clubFairy cakes and jellies set the tone for a classic children's party, writes Catherine Cleary
It used to be all about ice cream and jelly and a pain in the belly. Pumped full of sugar, a gardenful of small people ran around until the birthday boy or girl burst into overwrought tears and everyone went home pebble-dashed with hundreds and thousands, clutching a crispy bun. Now children's parties are high on the list of ulcer-inducing stresses for parents. We are not quite in the First Holy Communion league. (It is surely only a matter of time before the next extravagance hits the headlines. Caribbean Communions, anyone?) But in some quarters the average kid's party has gone from a messy bunfest to an afternoon that could rival any grown-up dinner party for cost, planning and preparation. As the summer months stretch ahead, parents lucky enough to have summer birthdays might be able to take advantage of slightly better weather to throw a party in a park or just put picnic blankets down in the garden. Then you can let the little people do what they do best - potter around, falling over and falling out. Try these recipes for classic kids' party food.